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SALSA · Project

Data-Driven Maps Showing Where Small Farms Strengthen Regional Food Supply Chains

foodPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)
salsa.uevora.pt

Imagine you're running a grocery chain and you want to source locally, but you have no idea which small farms around you can actually deliver reliably. SALSA studied 30 regions across Europe and Africa to figure out exactly what role small farms and small food businesses play in keeping food affordable, nutritious, and available. They combined satellite data with on-the-ground surveys to map where small farms matter most — and what's blocking them from doing more. Think of it as a regional X-ray of local food systems that shows who grows what, where the gaps are, and what needs to change.

By the numbers
30
Reference regions assessed across Europe and Africa
17
Consortium partners involved
13
Countries covered in the study
26
Project deliverables produced
The business problem

What needed solving

Food retailers, distributors, and policymakers lack clear data on where small farms can reliably supply affordable, nutritious food at regional scale. Without this mapping, local sourcing strategies are built on guesswork rather than evidence. Companies trying to shorten their supply chains or meet territorial food policy goals have no systematic way to identify which small producers and food businesses can actually deliver.

The solution

What was built

SALSA produced regional food system assessments for 30 reference regions across Europe and Africa, combining satellite technology with ground-level data collection. They delivered 26 project outputs including analytical methods for quantifying small farm contributions to food security, a multi-scale assessment approach, and a Community of Practice learning platform built on FAO's TECA system.

Audience

Who needs this

Regional food distributors building local sourcing strategiesAgricultural policy consultancies advising on rural developmentAgriTech companies expanding into food security analyticsFood retail chains implementing short supply chain programsInternational development organizations working on food and nutrition security
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Food retail and distribution
mid-size
Target: Regional grocery chains and food distributors looking to build local sourcing strategies

If you are a regional food distributor struggling to identify reliable small-farm suppliers — this project mapped 30 reference regions to show exactly where small farms contribute most to food supply. Their satellite-based assessment tools and regional food system analyses can help you identify sourcing opportunities and build shorter, more resilient supply chains from local producers.

Agricultural consulting and policy advisory
SME
Target: Consultancies advising governments or development agencies on rural food policy

If you are an agricultural consultancy advising regional authorities on food security strategies — SALSA produced detailed assessments across 13 countries showing which factors enable or block small farms from feeding their regions. Their multi-scale analytical approach and Community of Practice platform give you ready-made evidence to back policy recommendations for territorial development.

AgriTech and satellite analytics
SME
Target: Satellite data companies serving the agriculture sector

If you are an AgriTech firm using satellite imagery for crop monitoring — SALSA tested new combinations of satellite technologies with ground-truth data across 30 regions to quantify small farm productivity and food system contributions. Their validated methods for linking satellite observations to actual food supply outcomes could expand your product offering into food security analytics.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access SALSA's regional food system data and assessment tools?

SALSA was a publicly funded Research and Innovation Action, so its published findings and methods are openly available. Costs would relate to adapting their assessment approach to your specific region or supply chain. No commercial licensing fees have been indicated in the project data.

Can these food system assessments scale beyond the 30 regions studied?

The project was designed with scalability in mind — it covered 30 reference regions across 13 countries with very different food system structures. The methods combine satellite data with local surveys, making them replicable in new regions, though local data collection would be required for each new area.

Is there any IP or licensing involved?

As a publicly funded RIA project coordinated by a university, SALSA's research outputs are generally open-access. Based on available project data, no patents or proprietary tools have been indicated. The satellite-based assessment methods and analytical approaches are described in published deliverables.

How current is this data given the project ended in 2020?

The project ran from 2016 to 2020, so baseline data reflects that period. However, the assessment methods and analytical tools remain valid. The 30-region comparative structure provides a reusable template, though food system conditions may have shifted since data collection.

Can SALSA's tools integrate with existing supply chain management systems?

SALSA used satellite technologies and data science methods that are compatible with modern agri-data platforms. However, this was primarily a research project producing analytical methods and regional assessments rather than plug-and-play software. Integration would require development work to operationalize their approaches.

Does this comply with EU food safety and sourcing regulations?

SALSA's work on food and nutrition security aligns with EU food policy goals and was designed with governance considerations in mind. Their regional assessments account for regulatory environments across 13 countries. The findings can support compliance with EU short supply chain and territorial food strategy requirements.

Consortium

Who built it

The SALSA consortium of 17 partners across 13 countries is heavily research-oriented: 7 universities and 7 research organizations dominate, with only 1 industry partner and 2 SMEs (6% industry ratio). This signals strong scientific depth but limited commercial readiness. The geographic spread — spanning Portugal, Spain, Italy, UK, Norway, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Greece, plus African nations Kenya, Ghana, Cape Verde, and Tunisia — gives the food system data genuine cross-continental coverage. The coordinator, University of Évora in Portugal, is an academic institution. For a business looking to use these findings, expect solid research data but plan for your own commercialization effort.

How to reach the team

University of Évora, Portugal — contact through the project website or university directory

Order a report on this consortiumSee UNIVERSIDADE DE EVORA profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the SALSA research team for regional food system data or assessment methods? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction.

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